The Health Education System, Inc. exam is a standardized exam some nursing schools to assess a nursing candidate’s readiness for nursing school. It is required by some but not all nursing programs prior to admission. The exam lasts for four hours and is broken in several components, including Math, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary and General Knowledge and Grammar. Here are some ideas to help in preparing to take the exam.
Purchase a Study Guide: The prices on these guides vary but they are well worth the cost. The questions on the guide are very close to the questions on the Reading Comprehension and Grammar sections of the exam. Practicing taking the test by answering the questions in the book can be very helpful. The study guide will help the candidate to clear the practice test for cna classes by state. The clearing of the exam will be beneficial for admission in the state cna Nursing Home.
Practice doing the math: The math section of the exam allows you to use a computer based calculator, but no scratch paper is allowed in the testing area. The math is fairly basic, but remember to brush up on basic algebra functions, fractions and percentages.
Make and use flash cards: This will help on the vocabulary section. You can buy sets of flash cards specific to the HESI on line. Using them can boost your vocabulary score. Some of the vocabulary is nursing specific, so spend some time learning nursing vocabulary.
Form a study group: Meet with friends who are going to take the exam. Work together on vocabulary and taking practice exams.
Review notes from your Pre-Nursing science: The science questions on the HESI are designed to be general knowledge. Students who did well in their Pre- Nursing classes generally do well on the HESI.
Look for review sessions: Some private testing centers offer review courses to help students prepare for the exam. There may also be review sessions offered by your university or a nearby hospital. There may be a fee, but the expense will be worth while if it adds points to your final score. If you cannot find a nearby review session, consider purchasing an on line review.
On line review: These are on line sessions two or three times a week that can be very helpful. On line sessions can provide additional study tips and extra help in discovering which subject areas you need to concentrate on.
Enlist the help of your family: A support group is vital when preparing for a big exam like this one. Make sure that your friends and family understand the importance of this exam. Ask them to be understanding of your need for quiet time to study.
Relax and read the sample questions: The questions on the HESI are not trick questions, but their wording may seem tricky. Read the questions more than one time to be sure you understand what is being asked. This is where taking on line practice exams can be helpful.
In the days before the exam, get enough sleep and eat well. Especially the night before taking the exam, get plenty of rest and eat a nourishing meal that includes protein before taking the test.
Always remember that the HESI is designed to assess readiness. The knowledge required to pass is basic information that most graduates know. If you are committed to a career in nursing and are willing to invest time in studying you will do well.